Speed control mechanism



Sept. 10,; 1940. LIROSENTHAL 2,214,557

SPEED CONTROL MECHANISM Filed July 13, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 10, 1940.

L. ROSENTHAL SPEED CONTROL MECHANISM I Filed July 13, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPEED CONTROL MECHANISM diana I Application my 13',

21 Claims.

This invention relates to speed control mechanisms and more particularly to an improved mechanism for selectively regulating the operative speed range of automotive vehicles and like powered traveling units.

It is an objectof the invention to provide mechanism for the purpose noted, which is adapted for selectively controlling the operative speed range of an automotive vehicle or the like, the mechanism including means for rendering impossible the powered operation of the vehicle above a preselected speed.

Another object is found in the provision of an automatically controlled, separable connection between the vehicle throttle controls, such as the usual hand and foot operated accelerator devices, and the engine fuel control mechanism, the automatic control of the separable connection being such as to break the connection upon the 20 vehicle attaining a predetermined speed of travel.

A further object is to provide, in combination with a separable connection operatively associated with the engine fuel control such as an engine throttle, and the throttle operating means 5 therefor, a novel mechanism for controlling the operation of the separable connection, so as to render the connection inoperable to transmit control movements of the throttle operating means to the fuel throttle, upon the vehicle attaining a predetermined speed of travel, the control mechanism being operatively responsive to the speed of travel of the vehicle.

Yet another object is to provide in an automo Fig. 1 illustrates'in assembly, the improved mechanism embodying the features of this invention, the illustration showing the mechanism as applied to an automotive vehicle; Fig. 2 is anenlarged longitudinal elevation, shown partly in section, of a separable device forming a part of the operative connection between the engine fuel throttle and the throttle controls therefor; Fig. 3

1936, Serial No. 90,331

is an end elevation of the device of Fig. 2, as viewed from line 3-3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the device, as taken along line 44 in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, of a speed indicating device or speedometer embodying certain features of the invention; Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the speedometer, as viewed from line 6-8 in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 illustrates a suitable key for regulating the control apparatus included as a part of the speedometer; Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of the control apparatus associated with the speedometer, as taken along line 88 in Fig. 5, and Fig. 9 is a. sectional elevation of the apparatus, as taken along line 99 in Fig. 5.

Referring now to the drawings by suitable characters of reference, Fig. 1 illustrates a portion of an automotive vehicle to which the improved speed control apparatus embodying the features of this invention is applied. That portion of the vehicle disclosed, includes an engine l0, transmission II and drive shaft [2, floor board l4, toe board i5, cowl board It, instrument board or dash l8, engine hood l9, radiator 20 and a front wheel I.

The engine i0 includes a fuel and fuel control mechanism 22 such as a carburetor of any suitable, well known type, for supplying a fuel mixture to a manifold 23, for ultimate delivery to the engine cylinders (not shown). Control of the fuel delivery to the manifold from the carburetor is effected through a control arm or lever 24 which .is operatively associated with the carburetor throttle mechanism (not shown). Arm 24 is operatively connected, through a connecting element or rod 26, with a separable device forming a part of this invention, the device being denoted generally by the numeral 21. The device 21, which will be described in detail hereinafter, is adapted to serve as an operative connection between the carburetor throttle arm 24 and the vehicle throttle controls, such as a foot accelera tor 28 disposed adjacent the toe board l5, and a hand accelerator 30 located on the dash board i8. The foot accelerator 28 has its operating stem or shaft 3| extended through the toe board l5, as through the bushing 32, with the end portion 34 thereof pivotally connected to the end 35 of a lever 36, as at 38. The lever 36 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, as at 39, to a frame per-'- 50 tion 40 of the engine iii. The opposite end portion 42 of lever 36 is operatively associated with the device 21 in a preferred manner later to be described. The hand accelerator 30 on the dash n is also operatively associated with the device 21, in a manner later to be described, so as to be capable of regulating the operation of the carburetor throttle. The connection of accelerator 30 to the device 21 is, by preference, made through a lever 43 pivotally secured on its end 44 to a support 48 mounted on the cowl board II. To this lever is connected one end 41 of a cable 48 associated with the accelerator 30 and slidably operated thereby through a conduit 50, the actuation of the accelerator l and its cable 48 serving to pivotally displace the lever 43, and hence through the lever." and the device 21, to operate the throttle arm 24.

The terms "separable connection or separable device as used herein in the description of the mechanism and in the appended claims, is to be understood as defining a pair of elements which are normally interconnected or locked together so as to operate as a unit, but which may be operatively disconnected so that the elements may be capable of relative movement. The terms thus defined, have particular reference in the present disclosure to the device denoted by the numeral Proceeding now with a description of the automatically controlled, separable connection or device denoted generally by the numeral 21, and shown in enlarged detail in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the device is comprised of a hollow, elongated cylinder or tubular sleeve element Ii having a bore or chamber 52. The chamber 62, which extends longitudinally of the sleeve element, and which is substantially coextensive with the length of the element, is open at one end 84 of the element, while on the opposite end II of the element, this chamber or bore is preferably closed, as by a wall 58. The element 51 is carried by and arranged for longitudinal sliding movement through a pair of spaced mounting members ll, these members being secured in any suitable manner, as by the bolts 59, to a frame portion 60 of the engine i0. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, each of these members B is provided with an aperture 82 in which the element BI is slidably seated. It is to be understood, of course, that any suitable means other than the elements 58 may be utilized to support the member iii, provided the supporting means employed will permit of axial displacement of this member. The element or rod 26 heretofore referred to in connection with the description of Fig. 1, has one end 63 operatively connected in any suitable manner, to the end portion 55 of the element 5|, as at 84, while the opposite end C5 of the rod 26 (Fig. 1) is operatively connected to the throttle arm 24. The end I of member II is provided with a projection or arm 86 to which is connected one end 01 of a. tension spring N. As shown in Fig. 1, the opposite end of the spring is secured, in any suitable manner, to the carburetor 22. Spring 68 serves to bias the element Ii and hence the throttle arm 24 through the connecting' rod I6, toward one extreme position thereof, this position of the elements Ii and 24 being to the right, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2. In

the described extreme position of these elements, the throttle (not shown) controlled by the arm 24 will be positioned substantially to out 01f or reduce to a minimum, the supply of fuel to the engine cylinders, so as to efiect a reduction in engine speed to idling, as is the usual automotive practice. Sliding m yen-lent of the cylinder Ii to the left and against the tension spring II, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, will eiiect through arm 24, regulation of the engine throttle to increase the engine speed, an! lence through the transmission i I and drive shaft ii, an increased speed of travel of the vehicle.

Control movement of the throttle arm 24 through the element iii and as a result of the actuation of either of the accelerator elements 2| and I0, is eifected in a novel manner now to be described. Slidingly movable within the bore 52 of element II is a cylindrical element or plunger I l, the plunger having a flattened or planar portion I! extending from the end portion I4 of the plunger, outwardly of and beyond the end 84 of the sleeve member ii, in the manner shown in Fig. 2. The portion 12 is provided with spaced,

parallel apertures or slots 15 and 16, these slots being ofsubstantially rectangular form and of a trend substantially longitudinally of the end portion I2. As a means for urging the plunger portion 1| inwardly of the bore 52, there is provided a spring H which is arranged between a supporting arm 18 on the plunger and the adjacent, stationary cylinder support 58. The accelerator dcvices 28 and 30 are operatively associated with the plunger ii through the end 12 and slots I5 and 14, whereby these controls may be utilized, when the plunger and element ii are interconnected to form a unit, as will be later described, to regulate at will, the position of the throttle arm for controlling the speed of the engine and hence the speed of travel of the vehicle.

As before described in connection with the disclosure of Fig. l, the respective levers It and 43 of the accelerator-controls 28 and III are operatively connected to the separable device 21, and more particularly, to the element Ii forming a part of this device. Considering, first, the operative connection of the accelerator 28 to the element H, the lever 36 included as an operative element of the accelerator has its end 42 formed 'to provide a furcated portion, with the iurcate elements 19 thereof spaced to receive therebetween the flat end 12 of the plunger H, in the manner shown in Fig. 3. The iurcate elements are provided with registering apertures or slots 80 which are, by preference, of substantially rectangular form. The operative connection of the furcated end of lever 36 to the plunger portion 12 is preferably made through a pin or bolt 82 which extends through the registering slots 40 and the slot I! in the portion 12 of plunger H, in the manner clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The connecting pin is maintained in assembly by a head portion II formed on one end of the pin, and by a suitable retaining element or cotter pin I4 in the opposite end of the pin. The rectangular form 0! the slots ll serves as a. means for preventing a binding of the pin 82 in the slot 1| during the operation of the mechanism, as will be readily understood. A tension spring I is associated with the accelerator stem 8! in any suitable manner, this spring serving to urge the foot accelerator 28 outwardly of the toe board II to its throttle-closed position, as shown in Fig. 1.

The accelerator II is 'operatively associated with the plunger portion 12 in a manner similar to that described for the accelerator N, the connection being efiected throughthe pivoted lever AI. Accordingly, the lever 43 is formed with r iurcated end 41, the turcate portions ll of which are suitably spaced to receive therebetween the end'portion 12 oi plunger H. The inmate elements 8! are provided with registering, substantially rectangular slots II for the reception or an assembly pin II which extends through these slots and through the plunger slot I4. The pin II is maintained in assembly in a manner similar to that of pin 82, as by providing the pin with a head portion 92 and a cotter pin 94. A suitable compression spring 95 is arranged to act upon the pivoted lever 49 in a direction to urge the cable 40 and accelerator element 30 to throttle-closed position, such position of these elements being shown in Fig. 1.

The described operative connection of the accelerators 28 and 30 to the plunger element II of the separable device 21, as effected through the slotted planar end 12 of the plunger and the furcated levers 36 and 43 associated respectively, with the accelerators 29 and 30, is preferred in the present example, but it is to be understood that any other suitable manner of effecting an operative connection of the accelerators to the plunger element 1| may be utilized, as desired.

The cylinder 5| and plunger H which are preferably and conveniently concentrically arranged, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, comprise the operative elements of the separable connection or device referred to generally by the numeral 21 in the description of Fig. 1. During normal operation of the vehicle below a preselected speed limit, determined at will by means-forming a part of this invention and hereinafter to be described, a substantial part of the plunger element II is disposed within the bore 52 of the element 5|, and these two elements are detachably interconnected or locked together, as by an electromagnetic latching device presently to be described, for operation as a unit, in the control of the throttle arm 24 by either of the accelerators 28 and 30. As shown in Fig. 2, an electromagnet of any suitable type, referred to for convenience as a relay and denoted generally by the numeral 96, is secured in any desired manner (not shown) to an exterior portion of the cylinder 5|, the location of the relay on the cylinder being between the cylinder supports 58. The relay being carried by the cylinder 5|, will, of course, move with this element when the latter is slidingly actuated. The movable armature 91 of the relay carries a lock element or tongue 98 which normally extends through a suitable slot 99 in a portion of the cylinder wall, and into a recessed seat portion such as groove I formed in the plunger With the tongue seated in the plunger slot, the element and plunger 1| will be locked together, by reason of the fact that the tongue 98 is carried by the element 5|, through the relay 96 mounted thereon. As will be readily observed, the tongue may be retracted from such locking position, upon the energization of the relay to attract the armature 91. A compression spring IN is arranged to act against the lower end I02 of the armature 91 to urge the armature upwardly so as to tend to seat the tongue 98 in the plunger groove I00.

In the described locking position of the tongue element 98, the plunger II and cylinder 5| will be constrained to move as a unit, so as to provide for the normal control of the engine throttle. When the relay 96 is energized, however, through an energizing circuit later to be described, its armature 91 will be actuated to withdraw or retract the tongue 98 from its normal locking engagement with the plunger II. In the latter instance, the elements EI and II will no longer act as a unit, but will be conditioned for relative movement, so that movement of the plunger II as effected by either of the accelerators 20 and 30, will not be transmitted to the element 5| so as to effect any control movement of the throttle arm 24. It is noted here that, upon the retraction of the tongue 98, the spring 09 acting on the element 5| will effect a sliding movement thereof to the position shown in Fig. 2, and this in turn will effect through the bar 26, a movement of the arm 24 to its throttle-closed or idling position, this position of the arm being shown in Fig. 1. Thus it will be readily observed from the'foregoing description, that as long as the tongue 90 is seated in the plunger recess or groove I00, the elements 5| and II will act as a unit, so that speed control movements of either of the accelerators 29 and 30 will be transmitted therethrough, to the throttle actuating arm 24. Also, it will be observed that upon the retraction of the tongue 98, resulting from the energization of the relay 96, the elements 5| and II will be disconnected so that they will no longer act as a unit serving to operatively connect the accelerator controls with the throttle arm. As a result of the retraction of the tongue 98, speed control movements of the accelerators 28 and 30 are rendered ineffective to actuate the throttle regulating arm 24. In this instance, the arm 24 will be automatically actuated by means of the spring 68, to its throttle-closed position, so as to reduce the engine speed to idling.

As will be later described, the relay 96 is energized only when the speed of the vehicle equals or exceeds a predetermined speed limit, whereupon the tongue 99 is retracted after the manner of disengaging a clutch, and serving to break the operative connection between the accelerator controls and the throttle arm 24. When the speed of the vehicle has been reduced below the predetermined speed limit, the tongue 98 may again engage the plunger groove I00, but this will occur only when the groove in the plunger 'II is in register with the tongue. Therefore, in order to effect a re-locking of the plunger and cylinder elements to enable further speed control of the vehicle, the plunger must be slidingly actuated within the bore 52 of the cylinder 5| until the tongue and groove are in register, when the tongue will seat in the groove This may be accomplished by permitting the accelerator controls 29 and 30 to move toward their throttleclosed positions, as effected by their respective biasing springs 86 and 95, so. as to allow the spring 11 to urge the plunger into the bore 52 until the tongue and groove are again brought into interlocking or latching engagement, whereupon, if the relay is de-energized, the tongue 99 will engage the groove I00, under the influence of the relay spring IOI. In this manner the reseating of the tongue 98 in the groove I00 may be readily and quickly effected, and this may be done before the speed of the vehicle has decreased to any appreciable extent below the predetermined speed limit thereof.

As is usual in automotive practice, the accelerators 28 and 30 are arranged for independent control of the throttle arm 24, the independency of the control in the present example being attained through the provision of the slots 15 and 70 in the end 12 of the plunger II. For example, in the actuation of the cylinder and plunger unit 5|-|| by the foot accelerator 29, through the lever 30 and the pin 82 in the slot 15 of the plunger end 12, so as to effect a longitudinal movement of the unit to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, the pin 9| and its associated accelerator 30 will be unaffected by reason of the slot I6. In this instance, the plunger end 12 will simplymove by the pin 9|, by reason of the pin slot 18, as will be readily observed. In a similar manner, actua- 15 described. The circuit-closing device is adapted I' Us) of the vehicle. preference, operatively associated with means to be operated responsively to the speed of travel To this end, the device is by which is directly responsive to the vehicle speed, such means in the present example being found in a speed indicating mechanism or speedometer I04 of suitable type, mounted on the vehicle instrument board I8. Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, the mechanism (not shown) of the speedometer I04 is enclosed by the housing I05, the forward or front end I05 of which is secured in any suitable manner to a flanged portion I01 of the dash board III. The speedometer drive cable I08 is enclosed in a conduit I and extends, by preference, from the rear of the housing I to a suitable drive connection IIO associated with the vehicle wheel 2| (Fig. 1), the drive connection shown being of a well known type and including a pinion l I I operatively secured to the end of the speedometer cable I08, with the pinion enmeshing with a gear I I2 driven by the wheel 2|. I1 desired, the cable I08 may be driven from the vehicle drive shaft I2, as by a suitable connection thereto, the details of which are not shown as this connection may be of any well known type. The end I05 of the housing is formed to provide an annular, cushioned seat H5 in which is mounted a plate or disc N5 of glass or other rigid transparent material suitable for the purpose. Spaced from the glass plate H5 and inwardly of the housing I05, is a dial plate I I1 upon the face i I8 of which are formed suitable graduations I I0 and speed indicia I20. The speed indicia I may consist of appropriate numerals indicating directly the speed of the vehicle in miles per hour. Centrally of the dial and extending therethrough, is 'a shaft element I2I which, is operated by the speedometer mechanism (not shown). Becured to theend of the shaft I2 I so as to be operated thereby, is a speed indicating hand or pointer lfifi'which cooperates with the graduations and speed indicia' on the face of the dial III. The pointer I22 which is formed of a suitable electrical conducting material, carries an electrical contact element I24 which is in arcuate register with a like contact element I25 carried by an adjustable arm or pointer I25. The pointer I26 which is also formed of conducting material, is arranged so that it may be positioned with its pointer end I28 opposite any oneof the speed indicia or graduations thereof, the particular disposition of the pointer determining the powered speed limit of the vehicle in a manner later to he described.

The mounting of the adjustable pointer I25 on the speedometer I04 is effected in the following preferred manner. The glass plate III is centrally apertured as at I20 to receive a bushing I363 which is formed of a suitable insulating material, such as hard rubber. The bushing is formed with a flanged head I32 which, together with a washer element I33 of resilient material, is seated against the inner marginal portions of the glass about the opening I 20. The body of the bushing which is externally threaded, extends through the opening I20 and outwardly of the glass III in the manner shown'in Fig. 5. The bushing is retained in assembly with the glass by a securing member I24 formed of suitable insulating material, such as hard rubber. The member I54 is provided with an internally threaded central 'bore I50. the threaded portion of which threadedly engages the bushing I50. The outer end portion I51 of member I54 extends outwardly beyond the end III of the bush ing, and is, by preference, of a diameter less than that of the inner end portion I40 of the member. The end portion I51 is provided with a shouldered seat I and a. central bore I42 for a purpose presently to appear. The bore I42 communicates with the bore Ill and is of smaller sectional area than that of bore I50.

The bushing I 50 is formed to provide a longitudinally extending bore I44 centrally thereof, in which is frictionally seated a shaft I45. The inno! end I" of this shaft is threaded and carries a terminal element I40 and the hub portion I49 of the adjustable pointer I26, the hub I49 being disposed between a nut I50 threadedly engaging the shaft end I40 and a washer I52 and nut 553, the latter nut also threadedly engaging the shaft end. In this manner the pointer I25 is operatively secured to the shaft end I so that it may be positioned relative to the dial face IIII by the actuation of shaft I45. As a means for operating the shaft, the outer end I54 thereof which extends into the bore I42 in member I34, is formed to receive a shaft turning key, such as the key I shown i Fig. '7. Thus, by engaging the shaft end I54 with the key I50, the shaft may be turned so as to position the pointer I25 relative to the graduations on the dial face I I8. The shaft I45 is frictionally retained in the bushing I00 by the nuts I50 and I53 on the shaft end I45 and by an annular projection I51 on the shaft, the projection I51 frictionally seating in a depression I50 formed in the end I28 of the bushing I30. Thus when the shaft has been rotated, as by the key I50, so as to position the pointer I26 with its end I20 in register with a desired speed indicia or graduation on the dial face II8, the shaft and its pointer are maintained in such adjusted position by reason of the frictional seating of the shaft projection I51 in the seat I50 and also, by reason of the frictional clamping effect obtained through the cooperation of the projection I51 with the nuts I50 and I55 on the shaft end I40.

Once the pointer I25 has been adjusted relative to the dial face III, further unintended ad-' justment thereof may be prevented by the provision of a cap I50 which closes the outer end of the bore I42 in the member I24, .so as to prevent the insertion of the key I" to operate the shaft I45. The cap engages the shouldered seat portion I in the end I21 of the member I24, in the manner shown inFig. 5. The cap I00 and shouldered seat portion I are provided respectively, with registering on nings or eyes III and I02 (Fig. 8) which are arranged diametrically of the elements, the eyes being provided for the reception of a wire'sealingelement I45 with which cooperates a lead or other soft Thus with the cap and seal in place, anyunwarranted adjustment of or tampering with the setting of the pointer I25 is effectively prevented.-

It is to be understood of course,'that the cap and seal may be dispensed with if desired, the provision of these elements being made so that unmetal seal I04.

der particular circumstances, the speed limit of the vehicle determined by the setting of the pointer I26, may be maintained in spite of any desire of the operator of the vehicle to alter the speed limit setting of the pointer.

In the control of the speed of the vehicle, the pointers I22 and I26 and the cooperating contacts I24 and I25 carried thereby, respectively, serve as contact-making elements for an electric control circuit. Accordingly, the adjustable pointer I26 and its contact I25 are electrically associated, through the terminal element I48 and a conductor I65, with one terminal I66 of the relay 96 controlling the separable device 21 (Figs. 1 and 2). The conductor I65 is, by preference, enclosed in a suitable insulating cable I68. The opposite terminal I69 of the relay 06 is connected by a conductor I10 with one pole of a source of current, such as the battery I12, shown diagrammatically. If desired, the battery I12 may be the usual vehicle battery provided for supplying current to the engine ignition system, the vehicle lights, etc. The opposite pole of the battery may be grounded, as at I13, to any suitable metallic part of the vehicle, according to the usual practice. The control circuit is completed through a conductor I14 connecting the speedometer shaft |2I with the grounded pole of the battery I12, as by the ground connection I16 made to any metallic part of the vehicle which is conductively associated with the battery ground I13.

In the operation of the speed control mechanism embodying the improved features of this invention, the adjustable pointer I26 is first set so that its end I28 registers with a desired speed indicia on the speedometer dial face II8. In the position of the pointer I26 shown in Fig. 6, the speed limit of the vehicle is set for 40 miles per hour. With the relay 96 de-energized, the tongue 98 will be seated in the plunger groove I00, so that the plunger 1| and cylinder 6| will be locked together to form an operating unit in the control of the throttle arm 24 by the accelerators 28 and 30. With the elements of the mechanism related as described, the vehicle may be operated with the speed thereof controlled by the accelerators 28 and 30. As the speed of the vehicle is increased responsively to the actuation of either of the accelerators, the speedometer pointer I22 will be actuated over the face III! of the dial H1 in a direction approaching the stationary pointer I26. When the vehicle speed is such as to cause the pointer I22 to move to a point adjacent the pointer I26 so that the contact I24 engages the contact I26, the energizing circuit for the relay 96 will be completed, whereupon the relay will effect a retraction of the tongue 98 from its seat in the groove I of plunger 1|. In this instance, the plunger 1| and cylinder will be disconnected so that they will no longer act as a unit, thereby breaking the operative connection of the accelerator controls with the throttle arm 24. At the same time, the spring 68 will actuate the cylinder 6| to the right as viewed in Fig. 2, this movement of the cylinder effecting through the rod 26, movement of the throttle arm 24 to its throttle-closed or idling position, whereby to reduce the engine speed and hencethe speed of the vehicle. As the speed of the vehicle decreases below the predetermined speed limit, the speedometer pointer I22- will be actuated as a consequence thereof, so as to separate the contacts |24-|25, whereupon the relay 96 will be deenergized. With the de-energization of the relay, the tongue 00 will be conditioned for a reseating in the plunger groove I00 when the groove is registered with the tongue. The registering of the groove I00 with the tongue may be effected readily and easily, in the manner heretofore described, as by permitting the accelerators 20 and 30 to move toward their throttle-closed positions, thus allowing the plunger spring 11 to actuate the plunger 1| inwardly of the cylinder 5| until the desired re-engagement of the tongue 98 with the groove I00 is attained. Thereafter, the accelerators 28 and 30 may be again actuated to control the throttle arm 24. Thus, from the foregoing description, it will be readily observed that the powered speed of travel of the vehicle cannot be any greater than the limit set by the pointer I26. Moreover, it will be noted that if the adjustable pointer I26 is positioned so that its contact I25 engages the contact I24 on the speedometer pointer I22 when the latter. pointer is disposed in the position indicated in Fig. 6, wherein the speedometer pointer is in its initial or zero speed position, the energizing circuit for the magnet 96 will be completed so as to effect a retraction of the lock element 98 for the separable device 21. In this instance, the device 21 will be ineffective to transmit speed control movements of the accelerators 28 and 30 to the engine throttle arm 24. Thus, with the engine operating at idling speed, the powered speed of travel of the vehicle cannot. be greater than the minimum speed produced by the engine operating at its idling speed. This minimum or idling speed of the vehicle is usually not greater than miles per hour, and is determined by the idling speed for which the engine is set and by the load on the engine in propelling the vehicle.

It is desired to point out particularly that the operation of the improved speed control mechanism of this invention, to render the accelerator devices such as the foot accelerator 28 and the hand accelerator 30, ineffective to regulate the engine speed, is eifected responsively to the speed of travel of the vehicle, and this is true whether the vehicle speed is produced by the operation of the engine, or produced by some agency other than the engine, as when the vehicle is permitted to move under its own momentum, or is permitted to coast down grade.

The preferred embodiment of this invention herein described and illustrated fully attains the foregoing objects and advantages, and further, presents an improved method and means for positively and automatically regulating the powered speed of travel of an automotive or like vehicle, so as to limit, selectively, the speed range of the vehicle to that desired. For example, by utilizing the control mechanism of this invention, the powered speed range of the vehicle may be regulated. so that the upper speed limit of the vehicle cannot be greater than say, 40 miles per hour. Thus, the powered speed'range of the vehicle would be from a minimum speed up to but not greater than 40 miles per hour.

Unlike many of the heretofore prevailing speed control systems provided for limiting the powered speed range of vehicles, the control system of this invention is independent of engine speed and is operated only in response to the speed of vehicle travel. This arrangement presents a attaining the speed limit of miles per hour,

and this result will obtain independently of the engine speed and of the speed ratio between the engine and the vehicle di'ive shaft II. as determined by the transmission control. lhus, when the vehicle transmission control is operated to eifect a low speed but high torque power transmission from the engine to the drive shaft ll, as when the control is actuated to the so-called first or low speed" position, the speed of the engine may be very high or near the maximum speed of which the engine is capable, while the speed of travel of the vehicle may be fairly slow and well below the upper limit set by the speed control mechanism. From this, it may be seen that the engine speed may be varied between the minimum and maximum speed limits thereof, and that during such engine speed variation, the control of engine speed by the accelerators will be cut oil only upon the vehicle attaining-a certain predetermined speed of travel.

While the improved speed control mechanism of this invention is preferably described by way or an example of its application, as operatlvely associated with a fuel throttle valve forming a part of a carburetor assembly, and with the accelerator controls for the valve, it is to be understood that the control mechanism may be utilized with equal facility, in fuel feeding systems of types other than'that described. For example, in connection with a travelin unit which is propelled by an engine or the solidfuel injection type, as a Diesel engine or the like, wherein the fuel ieeding system for this type of engine includes a fuel injection pump, and further, wherein the engine speed is controlled by regulating the fuel output of the injection pump, the novel separable device ill of this invention and the control mechanism therefor, may be readily utilised in the regulation of the output of the fuel pump, so as to limit the powered speed of travel of the vehicle to a predetermined desired value.

Although the invention'is described as applied to an automotive vehicle, it is not to be limited thereto, as 'it may be successfully utilized with any moving unit impelled by similar means. Et'is to be understood further, that although a single embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated herein, it may be altered or modi- I fled Without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention, as defined by the hereunto appended claims.

1'. A speed control mechanism for a travelin unit, propelling means for the unit, control mech! anism associated with said propelling means and including a plurality of relatively movable elescents, a member normally connecting the ele- "ments in a positive manner to preclude their relative movement, and means responsive to the. speed of travel of the unit, adapted for actuating said connecting member to effect an operative discon- Erection pf said elements. whereby to render said control mechanism ineffective to control the operation of said propelling means.

2. In a speed control mechanism for a vehicle provided with an engine, means for regulating the operation of said engine, control mechanism for said regulating means, including a plurality of relatively movable members, an element normally connecting said members for renderingsaid mech: anism effective to control said engine regulating means, and means responsive to a predetermined speed of travel of the vehicle, adapted for actusting said connecting element to eliect a disconnection oi the members, whereby to render said mechanism ineifective to control said regulating nism, of a separable control connection normally.

serving as operative elements or said accelerating mechanism, said separable connection being comprised of concentrically arran ed members capable of relative axial movement, a movable element normally connecting said members so as to prevent their relative movement, and speed responsive control means adapted for actuatin said movable connecting element to operatively disconnect said members.

5. In a speed control mechanism for an automotive vehicle, the combination with speed accelerating mechanism for the vehicle, of a separable control connection normally serving as operative elements of said accelerating mechanism, said connection comprising normally operatively related members capable of relative axial movement, a movable element normally locking said members against relative movement, and means responsive to a predetermined speed of travel of the vehicle, adapted for actuating said movable element to permit relative movement of said members.

8. in a speed control mechanism for an automotive unit, the combination with speed accelerating means for said unit, of a separable control connection associated with said means and normally serving as operating elements thereof, said connection comprising concentrically arranged members capable of relative movement, a movable element carried by one of said members and adapted for normally connecting the members to prevent relative movement therebetween, and means responsive to a predetermined speed of travel of the unit, for actuating said connecting element in a manner to efiect an operative disconnection of said members to permit relative movement therebetweemwhereby to render said speed accelerating means ineiiective to control the speed of the unit.

'7. A speed control mechanism for an automo tive vehicle, speed acceleratingmeans for said vehicle, said means including as operative elements thereof, a pair 01' relatively movable memhere, means normally preventing relative movement of said members, and mechanism adapted for operating said movement preventing means to permit relative movement between said members, so as to render said speed accelerating means ineffective to control the vehicle speed, upon the vehicle attaining a predetermined speed, said mechanism including a device operatively responsive to the speed of travel of said vehicle, and a control circuit including an electromagnet and circuit-closing elements operated by said speed responsive device.

8. A speed control mechanism for an automotive unit, propelling means for the unit, control mechanism associated with said propelling means and including a plurality of concentrically arranged, relatively movable members, an element adapted for connecting said members for operation as a unit, means urging said element into position to operatively connect said members, and means responsive to the speed of travel of the traveling unit, provided for actuating said element in a manner to effect an operative disconnection of the members, whereby to render said control mechanism ineffective to control the operation of said propelling means.

9. In a speed-limiting appliance for automotive vehicles including an engine, a fuel feed control linkage associated with the engine and including a sleeve element, a plunger element normally interlocked with the sleeve, an electromagnetic latching device normally interlocking said elements, a circuit for energizing said device, a switch in said circuit, and means responsive to vehicle speed for closing said switch.

10. A speed regulator for a throttle controlled vehicle comprising, in combination, primary control means responsive to the speed of the vehicle, secondary means for limiting the speed-increasing movement of the throttle comprising a pair of cooperable longitudinally shiftable members, latch means operably mounted on one of said members for engagement with the other of said members whereby to hold said members in nonshiftable relationship, and means actuable responsive to the primary control means for releasing the latch means whereby to permit said members to be freely shifted with respect to each other.

11. A speed regulator for a throttle controlled vehicle comprising, in combination, primary control means responsive to the speed of the vehicle, and secondary means for limiting the speed-increasing movement of the throttle, said secondary means including a pair of longitudinally shiftable normally latch-connected members and an electro-rnagnet mounted on and bodily shiftable with one of said latch-connected members actuatable responsive to the primary control means for unlatchingly disconnecting said members.

12. In an automotive speed control mechanism, the combination with speed accelerating mechanism, of a separable control connection normally serving as operative elements of said accelerating mechanism, said separable connection being comprised of concentrically arranged members capable of relative axial movement, a movable element normally connecting said members so as to prevent their relative movement, and speed responsive control means adapted for actuating said movable connecting element to oper- V atively disconnect said members.

13. In a speed-limiting appliance for automotive vehicles including an engine, a fuel feed control linkage associated with the engine and including a sleeve element, a plunger element normally interlocked with the sleeve, an electromagnetic latching device normally interlocking said elements, a circuit for energizing said device, a switch in said circuit, and means responsive to vehicle speed for closing said switch.

14. In a speed control mechanism for an auto,- motive vehicle, the combination with speed accelerating mechanism for the vehicle, of a separable control connection normally serving as operative elements of said accelerating mechanism, said connection comprising normally operative y related members capable of relative axial movement, a movable element normally locking said members against relative movement, and

means responsive to a predetermined speed of travel of the vehicle, adapted for actuating said movable element to permit relative movement of said members.

15. Mechanism for varying the efiective length of throttle actuating mechanism of internal combustion motors associated with a performance instrument, said mechanism comprising a cylinder, a plunger movably mounted in said cylinder, said cylinder and plunger forming a telescopic link in said throttle actuating mechanism, a catch co-operatively associated with said plunger, said catch normally holding said plunger in a fixed position with respect to said cylinder to impart a predetermined length to said link, an electric circult including normally spaced contacts forming part of said instrument, a source of current, a relay, said relay when energized being adapted to release said catch from said plunger, and operating means for displacing said plunger, with respect to said cylinder, whereby the effective length of said link is varied upon energization of said relay to release said catch.

16. In mechanism for operating the throttle of an internal combustion motor, the combination of a pair of telescoping members forming a telescopic link in said throttle actuating mechanism, a latch carried by one of said members, said latch normally engaging the other of said members so that said link has one effective length, and release mechanism for said latch, said latch when released permitting the link to assume a difierent effective length.

17. The combination with mechanism for operating the throttle of an internal combustion motor associated with a performance instrument, of a pair of telescoping members, said members forming a telescopic link, a latch normally holding said members in predetermined relation, the link thus having one effective length, an electric circuit including normally spaced contacts forming part of said instrument, a source of current, and an electro-magnet with an associated armature for controlling said latch, said electro-magnet when energized being adapted to actuate said armature, whereby the said latch is released to permit said link to assume a difl'erent effective length.

18. A vehicle engine governing system, comprising a throttle valve member, a manually operated throttle control member for moving the valve member toward fully open position, a collapsible link structure connecting said members and comprising a solenoid electromagnet connected with one member and an armature operatively associated with the other member, a coiled spring operatively interposed between the magnet and armature and normally constraining the arma ture and magnet in extended relation, a current source, and a speed responsive switch for connecting the magnet and source to control vehicle speed.

19. In an automobile control in which a vehicle is provided with a throttle contrcl to an engine, the engine driving the vehicle, and in which a manually operated mechanism actuates the throttle, combined with a link assembly in the manual control means to the throttle, said link assembly including an electromagnetic device, a slidable link, a latch means to latch the link in an active position, a speed device operated in accordance with vehicle speed, a source of electric power, means operated by the speed device to close an electric circuit to the electromagnetic device at a'predetermined maximum vehicle 7 speed, whereby the electromagnetic device is actuated to iliglatch the slidable link and thereby render the said link assembly inactive to increase the engine and hence the vehicle speed.

so. In an automobile control in which the throttle is provided with a manually operable throttle control for theiiuel of the engine, the engine driving the vehicle, and in which a speed device is actuated by the speed of the vehicle, said speed device having means to make an electric circuit at a predetermined maximum speed, combined with a link assembly in the throttle control including an electromagnetic device, a latch, a slidable rod forming part of the link, the latch being adapted to engage the rod for manual operation of the throttle, and an electric circuit thru the electromagnetic device and closed by the speed device at the predetermined maximum vehicle speed, the said electromagnetic device having means to disengage the latch to operatively said prime mover biased to a minimum fuel feeding position, a control member for said fuel feeding device, and a speed responsive device connected between said fuel feeding device and said control member, said speed responsive device comprising a two-part link mechanism, a catch on one oi said parts for locking said parts to gether for movement as a unit, a biasing means supported on the catch carrying part of said link mechanism for constraining said catch into loch ing position, a vehicle speed responsive device. and means operatively associating said vehicle speed responsive device and said biasing means irrespectiveof the position of said part onsaid link which carries said catch and said biasing means to actuate said catch.

LAWRENCE ROBENTKAL 

